Hazardous Components of Household Waste

Household hazardous waste (HHW) includes waste containing hazardous substances originating from domestic sources. HHW has attracted attention recently because of the steadily increasing levels of municipal solid waste (MSW) of which HHW forms a proportion. A lack of detailed information exists on specific waste types composing HHW and the volumes of HHW produced. In addition, variations in the definition of HHW hamper the quantification process. The majority of MSW and associated HHW is disposed of to landfill. Understanding the flow of this waste from households to disposal facilities will assist in the evaluation of the potential of HHW to harm the environment or human health. This article provides a review of the hazardous components of household waste. It describes attempts to quantify this waste stream and provides an overview of the health and environmental risks posed by such substances. Results confirm a lack of information on sources and quantities of HHW, together with discrepancies in classification systems in different countries and conflicting conclusions concerning potential environmental and health risks.

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